Equaldex is a web application that will measure, document and analyze equality and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights around the world. Follow for journals (cross-posted from Equaldex News) covering top LGBT rights news.

Equaldex is a web application that will measure, document and analyze equality and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights around the world. Follow for journals (cross-posted from Equaldex News) covering top LGBT rights news.

Equaldex, The Collaborative LGBT Knowledge Base, to Launch on February 25

After months of testing and contributions by hundreds of Alpha Testers, Equaldex will be launching to the public on Tuesday, February 25. The site is a global LGBT rights website that can be edited by anyone.

Aimed at becoming a comprehensive resource for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) laws and data in each country and region, Equaldex allows users to contribute data — along with sources — which becomes verified by other users.

Upon launching to the public, the entire Equaldex site will become publicly visible, while editing will be restricted to members who have been granted access.

Above is a map of the world showing where homosexual activity is legal and illegal. Many of the red countries include penalties of life in prison and the death penalty.

This interactive map (along with 7 other maps for other LGBT issues) was generated using data contributed by Equaldex users, however it’s far from complete. Also, most data has not yet been verified by other users, so it's likely that there are errors. Historical data is also being collected, so maps could be generated for any day in history.

Equaldex is still in private Alpha. Want to be among the first 100 people to use Equaldex? I'm looking for more Alpha testers to help test, contribute, or give feedback about the site.

Here's a 2010 equalitopiaarticle by r0b where the newly elected Pope Francis (Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio) describes gay marriage as being the work of the devil:

Argentina’s highest-ranking Catholic prelate has warned that the country’s gay marriage bill is a “machination” of the devil, reports Pink News.Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio has called on priests in Buenos Aires, where he is archbishop, to protest against the bill, which is progressing through Argentina’s parliament.In a letter to the monasteries of Buenos Aires, he wrote: “Let’s not be naive, we’re not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God .. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.”

New York City-based artist Alex Myung (~alexmyung) has started a Kickstarter project to raise $20,000 to create Arrival, an animated short film with a focus on the theme of coming out. Equalitopia sits down with Alex to discuss the project.

Currently, the project has raised almost $4,000 from 74 different backers, averaging out to about $52 per backer. Keep in mind that Kickstarter projects are “all or nothing,” meaning that if the project doesn’t reach its funding goal by Wednesday, February 20th, no funds will be transferred to the project.

Equalitopia: Could you tell us briefly about the storyline of Arrival?

Alex: Arrival is about a young boy growing up in the countryside with his mother, who moves to the city to pursue his dreams. Along the way he falls in love with another boy, but he struggles to connect with people as he contemplates coming out to his mother.

Comments

I just read a post on the Wipeout Homophobia Facebook page and this is basically what they posted (I can't seem to find the post right now, if I see it again I'll edit).

A guy has a boyfriend in a mental hospital. Guy goes to visit boyfriend. Nurse asks who he is. Guy says, "I'm his partner."

Nurse says, "Oh, like partners-in-crime?"

"No. He's my boyfriend," says the guy. Then the nurse goes nuts and starts screaming at him saying stuff like "that's inapropriate!", etc.... End result? The guy is no longer allowed to see his own boyfriend in the hospital! We are now calling the hospital and telling them that we do not appreciate homophobes in our country, especially in places where they are supposed to HELP people, NOT make them feel worse! I already called twice.

NC Amendment one... At this point, I am embarrassed to be a part of state of North Carolina. As a 41 year old gay male, born and raised here in NC, I have grown up with a good deal of closed minded people as well a good number of people who are accepting of others. The law should never encourage prejudice and this is exactly what amendment one does, it also infringes on indivual rights. 20 years ago I faced many trials simply for being gay, it truly saddens me to see it has not changed and that even today people like me [simply for loving a different way] are forced into hiding, yet expected to continue to pay our state taxes without rights or laws to protect us. I share this here in the hopes that people will understand the importance of freedom and add their voice to those in need of support. Weather you agree or disagree with this issue... know that by allowing it to happen, you put your own freedoms that you do enjoy at risk. Freedom is lost one issue at a time, it's freedom for all or freedom for none.

very horrible and even today, gay ugandans have even been murdered by their parents and I recall this one event where a group of christians and muslims united to terrorize this one lesbian, they beat her up severly, burned her hair and acided her back. They even threatened the police that they would kill her if she ever returned to that town